Archive for: tethering
The last several weeks have seen frantic protests from “illegitimate” tethering apps being blocked and warning texts sent to users warning them of a new cellular world order — unofficial tethering is out! While we here at GS sit on one side of the fence supporting “unofficial” tethering apps — far away from the fence itself actually — we understand the few lobbyists telco workers people out there who feel added tethering costs on top of already paying for data plans is fair. But regardless of where you stand, the pressure is mounting on both sides of the fence as is evident by a new complaint filed by FreePress against Verizon Wireless alleging their (Verizon’s) new policy on banning tethering apps from the market goes against the “Openness Rule” they agreed to when purchasing their chunk of 700 MHz spectrum.
While we remain highly optimistic Verizon (and similar actions by other carriers) will be forced to back track, we all know who really runs this country — not us consumers and not politicians, but lobbyists. Verizon will find some way to weasel out of any complaints or lawsuits challenging their authority thereby leaving us in the very same place we were long before Google’s “openness” crusade. And that is sad…
Carriers are a necessary evil. They bring us the wireless technologies we gadgeteurs use day in and day out, yet overcharge — double and triple charge too! — and at many times and offer sub-par service. Really it’s like a love hate relationship. Sadly, we have another example of carriers mucking with innovation and the gadgets that pack them in an attempt to grow their own pockets.
Matt Bencke of Microsoft took to the Windows Phone Blog concerning the lack of tethering in the upcoming WP7 Mango update. In short: Carriers artificially gimped Mango:
“I appreciate your pain around tethering (using your device as a modem) as this has been something that I’ve used in the past. Tethering, in the past was something that we managed independently of the Mobile Operators (e.g. AT&T, Orange, Verizon). In recent years, the Mobile Operators have now taken ownership of this functionality x-all platforms (e.g. our competitors as well as us). We are continually working with them and our OEM partners to enable this functionality for our devices, but at this time there isn’t an announcement that we’ve made in regards to rolling out this feature. Stay Tuned!”
Something is very wrong when a majority clearly and repeatedly requests a particular service or feature only to have the minority governing body reject said requests (or take advantage of them). Such is the sad state of the cellular world.
AT&T doesn’t want you tethering for free. Really! Several weeks back AT&T sent out text messages to customers they suspected of tethering whom also didn’t have the now required tethering plan. Today marks round 2. A fresh round of text messages is being deployed, warning heavy users suspected of tethering that there are two options. Customers can either (1) upgrade to the Data Pro 4GB data plan on their own accord or (2) AT&T will do it themselves if the “illegal” use continues.
It’s worth noting that most of the reports we saw during the first round of warnings as well as now center around MyWiFi. We have an iPhone or two that uses a different tethering app (as well as a couple of Android devices that tether with their own apps as well) and haven’t received any messages from AT&T.
For now, we’ve heard a few reports of users still on the old $30 unlimited data plan claiming they do a lot of audio/video streaming on their phone as reason for the high usage, and have been given a pass of acceptance by AT&T CSR. Your mileage will obviously vary.
O2 UK has single-handedly made everyone’s day here at Gadgetsteria (and likely the the UK’s too). They have removed the tethering surcharge — You know, the ridiculous one that carriers all over the world use to charge you double for your data? — so data users can now tether at no extra cost with the existing data plans. While O2 UK doesn’t currently have any unlimited plans, this new approach is more than welcome. Since data users already pay (1) for a data plan and (2) for overages, having to pay a third fee just to use the data we’ve already paid for and will pay for continuously if we go over our alloted amount is stupid. Stupid.
Now if only AT&T cared…
AT&T is cracking down on unofficial tethering by way of jailbroken iPhones and rooted Android devices, specifically, AT&T customers still using the old $30 unlimited 5GB data plan. The emails and texts both highlight the same thing – that AT&T wants to get double-paid for data access via tethering by saying:
AT&T Free Msg: Did you know tethering your smartphone to a computer requires a tethering plan? Pls call 888-860-6789 for details or visit att.com/dataplans.
Of course, tethering doesn’t really require anything extra in the way of data plans. Carriers just like the free money said plans bring with them. As for the current situation here, AT&T will take it upon themselves to auto-enroll you in the $45/month 2GB Data Pro + Tethering plan after March 27th if you continue to tether without said plan.
Thus far, speculation is hinting at a possible pointer in iOS 4.3 that allows AT&T to be able to tell if someone is or isn’t tethering. Though it’s also entirely possible that AT&T is just going off of data usage metrics. If the latter is the case, that’s a petty bold move on AT&T’s part seeing as how 2GB is a pittance to give people in the age of video/photo sharing, VoIP, online gaming, etc.
We’ll keep following this. In the meantime, hop inside for the much lengthier, though equally as ridiculous email compliments of Ma Bell herself…
- October 26, 2010 10:01 am
If we look past the fact that being forced to pay extra for tethering plans is double dipping on the carriers part, we may be able to actually take T-Mobile’s new tethering plan prices in stride. Speaking of which, the 4th largest U.S. carrier has announced that starting November 3rd, both post and pre-paid customers can get access to smartphone tethering and hotspot features for $15/month — on top of your stand alone data plan. While it is the same structure as every other carrier that offers tethering, it still isn’t right. Though if you want to stick it to the man, there are ways to get tethering initiated without the double dip pricetag…
But such things are better left for another day and another post.
Droid 1 users rejoice, for Verizon is artifically limiting your hardware with the official Froyo 2.2 update. On the heels of Droid 1 “official” Froyo update information, it’s come to light that two very popular features — Tethering and mobile WiFi hotspot — won’t be making it. The former supposedly isn’t doable because “there isn’t a connection on the PC side that will enable tethering (WTF?) while the latter has been chocked up to “lack of hardware” (read: power) by a Verizon Wireless spokesman.
Now let me help you dear reader by demystifying and cutting through the PR BS: “We want your money.” “We’re artificially limiting the Droid 1 so you’ll want to upgrade to a new device”. PS: “We hate you”. Any questions?
There’s absolutely zero reason the Droid 1 can’t be made to support tethering or mobile wifi hotspot because it…oh wait a minute…it already can. Rooted users have been enjoying such features for over half a year now. Glad to see Verizon enjoys lying to their customers. Though they aren’t any different than countless other companies who have resorted to doing the same thing. Still, it doesn’t make it any better.
Of course, those that really care about said features either (A) already have them or (B) have the know-how to figure it out and root for the gold themselves. Which are you?
Sweet Jesus. Just when I thought AT&T couldn’t be any more ridiculous, more absurd, more asinine; they go and do something like announcing that iPhone-to-iPad tethering will not be allowed. After a TechFlash reader by the name of Steve Ruebel brought up the topic of tethering an iPad to an iPhone, an AT&T spokesperson replied to TechFlash directly by email after seeing the comment and receiving similar emails from TechFlash themselves stating that it was in fact true.
The reason the AT&T spokesperson gave was that the iPad does not have a USB port (duh!) and therefore can’t do wired tethering. While it’s very true that the iPad has bluetooth capabilities, the profile needed for wireless tethering is disabled. This fact is highlighted by another TechFlash commenter here. Awesome. Now commonplace AT&T behavior. No more. No less…
According to AT&T’s Mark Siegel, “Nothing new” concerning the hot button issue of iPhone tethering is being released today. The news cuts through fresh rumors that have surfaced showing a new tethering config page in the latest iPhone 4.0 beta 4 that was recently released to devs.
Unfortunately, it’s a load of crap for all of AT&T’s customers who wish to use such a feature legitimately. The response also doesn’t give any indication or clue as to when we can expect such a feature either. It seems Ralph de la Vega’s comments in 2009 of iPhone tethering “coming soon” were full of hot air. I understand the much needed boost in network resilience, but going on 12+ months, come on…
